Our Wedding Video!

Have you seen it yet?  Check out my husband's blog for the most lovely and fun wedding video EVER!  I married one talented dude. 

Pretty crazy that it's been 4.5 months since the wedding and almost a year and a half since the day Trey proposed.

Life is good.

spring = yellow!

[I] Truly Madly Deeply [love this] pencil skirt, Urban Outfitters

Whispering magnolia tunic, Anthropologie 

(a nod to my Southern roots + magnolia trees are my favorite) ;)

Atelier Chesterfield, Anthropologie

Sun Catcher cardigan, Anthropologie

yellow sandals, Aldo

cat eyes, Urban Outfitters

mermaid ring, J. Crew

pull-on skirt, Gap

timex, Piperlime

Moral of the story? I'm grabbin' a yellow pencil skirt. 

What makes a great wedding *great*?

I got married exactly 3 weeks ago from today. Wow. It has been the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.

Since the wedding ...(which I am still waiting on all the photos... the anticipation is killing me!) I have had a lot of time to reflect what makes a great wedding *great*!

Here are my thoughts:

5. A great venue. This is irreplaceable. It creates the over-all feel that will set the tone for what kind of vibe you want to create. An outdoor space is a lot more versatile than an indoor. You can essentially create a room the way you want it. Check these venues out. I love a great outdoor space.

Images found on OnceWed.


4. Party people. Love is meant to be shared. How could a wedding ever be a *great* wedding without the ones you love partying it up with ya?

Images found on OnceWed.

3. Personal and well-thought out details. There is an English garden wedding on Style Me Pretty right now that explains this point perfectly. There is a chandelier in this wedding that is made of 700 tea bags. Yes. That's right. Totes amazeballs. Check it out here. Something that is original is a plus but inspiration must come from somewhere, right? If it has been done before but is specific to the bride and groom I say do it, to it! Here are a few more that I think are special.
This couple took jars of jams and sweets and wrapped them with a silhouette of them two of them.

Found on OnceWed.

2. Meaningful moments. A tribute of photographs to family members that have passed that you wish could be there. A special toast from an unexpected guest. Vows written by the bride and groom themselves. New "traditions" that the couple create for themselves. Anything that is creative and unique to the folks that are getting married always wins with me. It shows that the ceremony and the relationships with the guests are the focus. I just love that. Speaking of meaningful moments, our fab photog, Kelly Hornberger posted an entry on our wedding & a moment between Trey and his mom. It is so sweet and something that moved Kelly. Check it out here.
This couple lit a candle under their chuppah during their evening wedding. How gorgeous is this shot?

Found on Green Wedding Shoes

1. Two people who are in love & will change the world with their love. This part of the wedding is why two people decide to take the leap and nothing is more moving. Disregard the details, the ambiance, or the free food and booze. If the two getting hitched are people you love but know they won't last or they shouldn't be getting married, there is no thing or accoutrement that can make that wedding prettier. I saw a tweet once (that I favorite-d) from @BrideTide that said "A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers :)" and I couldn't agree more. It takes deep, enduring love for marriage to work. In my extensive experience ;) of 21 days of wedded-ness I can say this is so true.

Images found on OnceWed.

May there be more weddings out there with these elements to make them *great* weddings and *great* marriages!

xoxo
Julie

Julie's Top 10 Wedding Picks of 2010

Hello Reader!

Happy New Year to you!

As my first post for 2011, I would like to take a look back at all of the weddings that I think are the most beautiful, inspirational, creative or just well-executed. On a personal note, I became engaged on April 10, 2010 to the most amazing man in the world ;) and so spend a LOT of time looking through wedding blog after wedding blog. Enjoy my favorites and I hope you find some inspiration, tips and beauty along the way!

10. Let me just start off by saying that I typically do NOT like Halloween weddings. I think that if there was a Halloween wedding I condone, I think this style is pulled off so well. I think it suits this bad ass couple. Plus, this bridal party is just too fab for words. So unique.
Mary and Stefan’s Halloween Wedding
{Found on oncewed.com}

9. STYLE, STYLE, STYLE! The BRIDE is s t u n n i n g. Of course, she is wearing a Monique Lhuillier which is already indicative of flawless taste. Gawk over the vintage deets. Go ahead, I give you permission. The venue is amazing. Austin is just a plain perfect place to get married.
Mary and Riley’s Vintage Austin Wedding
{Found on stylemepretty.com}

8. Love the Claire Pettibone gown, she rocks it. This venue is phenom and I love the ceremony set-up. So elegant, simple, casual yet a little rugged. This couple really created something special and memorable. I love it.
Rachel and Michael’s Atlanta Outdoor Elegance
{Found on oncewed.com}

7. Photography by Tec Petaja is always amazing. Plus, this bride and her bold jewelry! Get out of here, hotness! You can tell that this wedding is two people who are in their element and rocking their own style. A wedding like that creates this comfort that you can't really explain. Enjoy.
Mat and Annie Kearney Farm Wedding
{Found on oncewed.com}

6. Caroline Tran is not paying me to say this to you, reader. Go look at her site. It’s stunning work. This wedding will just make you giddy it’s so delightful. Proof that a ballroom wedding CAN be done beautifully. Certainly helps that it’s in a castle. ;)
Oheka Castle Wedding by Caroline Tran
{Found on stylemepretty.com}

5. This wedding is probably the most famous of the Top 10 but nonetheless, gorgeous. For this wedding, I have chosen to share it with you in the form of film. Check it out. It’s worth the 20 minute watch just to see her walk in that dress. And watch their vows. Her hubby, James, is absolutely presh. If you follow me on Twitter (@jewlzinla) you would know that I tweeted about this wedding when it first happened. Blew me away. Still does. Aannd… you might cry. Just warning you. ;)
Coco and James’s Wedding in France
{Found surfing the web... no reference, sorry!}

4. I have always been in love with Spain. This wedding has captured my heart completely. My favorite part is the reception with the lights... ah, it's magical. Disfrutan todos!
Antonio and Silva’s Whimsical Spanish Wedding
{Found on oncewed.com}

3. There are IV parts. That’s how awesome it is. Just get ready for Colorado, outdoor whimsy and country fun. It's so unique and sweet.
Nick and Surya's Sweet Mountaintop Wedding Part I; Part II; Part III; Part IV.
{Found on oncewed.com}

2. I can honestly say this was the sole soiree that convinced me my wedding should have this color scheme. It’s just so happy and bright! How else would you want to describe your wedding day?! The yellow with succulents is just a winning combo. Let’s be real.
Chris and Kelly Gray and Yellow Backyard Wedding
{Found on oncewed.com}

1. And now... the Number One wedding (in my humble opinion) of 2010....
I love everything about this wedding. I have looked at it time and time again for inspiration. It's so simple, special and sweet. I L-O-V-E the bride's style. J. Crew bridesmaids are always a winner. And there was the ever-so-dreaded, fear of every bride on her wedding day: RAIN. This wedding goes to show that nothing can smother the bright light of two people in love.
Kelsey and Brett Atlanta Barn Wedding
{Found on oncewed.com}

That's it! I hope you enjoyed! Until next year!... ;)

Seeing Heaven

It was Friday and I had an event to attend. I work in the non-profit world and this was one that I didn't want to miss particularly because I need to be personally involved with something bigger than myself.

I show up. It's outdoors. There is a sign-in. I grab a sharpie, write my name with great intention and stamp myself with a name tag. My head is aching and it's only 10 am. Need coffee. Of course, this event is catered. For breakfast. Outdoors. Impressive. Coffee, tea, OJ, coffee cake, baked goods galore. Yum. The organizer announces that we are about to begin and to gather 'round for when the subjects of the hour enter with fanfare and joy!

Standing there with my coffee, informational pamphlet and great anticipation, I hear the music. It's drums and singing and dancing and everyone stops. Coming down the street and around the bend. We're all standing there waiting until the rhythm gets closer. We are about to be enveloped in a celebration. Didn't know what was coming.

I finally get a peek of what is happening when the drumming enters the lot. Men, black, white, all beating the junk out of their drum; women, black, white, old, young, dancing. Dancing in white. To an Afro-Caribbean beat. It was wonderful. The real celebration was what is to follow. Women dancing, with raised hands, shouting, laughing, smiling and singing follow and all us bystanders are in the midst of something that was more than any of us bargained for.

This was the homecoming of women who were homeless. No longer are they so because there is a place called Downtown Women's Center that is out to end homelessness for women in Los Angeles. These women were overjoyed because they coming home to a new facility that would their community. A 71-unit building was finally theirs, fully renovated and furnished for them to call their own. We were there to welcome them and witness.

I cannot tell you what really happened. All I know is that what I was watching was beyond us. The dancing and the mix of all people from all backgrounds and walks of life and ages and races were all together celebrating. A battle had been won and these women were being welcomed home.

I was in tears.

It was so moving. I thought, "This is how I imagine heaven."

The only drawback was that there was no one there to share this with me! I was surrounded by total strangers and here I am crying, for Pete's sake.

I turned around there happened to be a woman that worked there (she had a clipboard and headset; takes a real genius) and she was wearing yellow which is why I think I was drawn to her. Plus, it helped that she was crying, too. I walked up and touched her shoulder and said, "I don't know why I'm crying; this is my first time here!" She looked at me and said, "I know! I planned this event and didn't even know it would be like this! It's just so moving!" Then, I added, "I just need to tell someone this: This is how I imagine heaven to be!"

She lost it. Tears free flowing. She thanked me for saying that and said oh my gosh a few times and then thanked me again.

Let me tell you, I did not expect this to happen at all. I mean, I had expectations. I thought it would have been good. I thought this interaction between DWC and I would start a steady yet not-so-often volunteer relationship. Who'da thunk it?

It was really one of things that you commit to because it sounds really great and then when it comes down to you getting ready, getting dressed, putting on make-up and figuring out what to wear and getting in the car to go, you want to talk yourself out of it because it's not mandatory. No one will notice if you aren't there. Take my advice: get up and go anyway. Changed my life.

Downtown Women's Center is an amazing nonprofit that I cannot say enough about. Here is an article in the LA Times where they were featured.

Wedding-ness

Hi-ya pumpkin.

I cannot even count how many wedding blogs, websites, reviews, photos, resources and referrals I have studied in the past 7.5 months. And I'm just talking online. No matter how many I have read in hand. Woo boy.

So, I was thinking: other than having an awesome wedding, what will this get me? How will this seemingly useless knowledge really help anyone? Oh, yes! I have a blog that maybe a handful of people read! And so, here are my brief website referrals for those who are on the path to marriage.

These are the ones I look at daily: (Yes, I know my life will be empty after the wedding - haha!)
oncewed.com
ruffledblog.com
stylemepretty.com
marthastewartweddings.com
onewed.com

Others that I don't look at everyday but are arguably just as essential:
theknot.com
thebrokeassbride.com
etsy.com
greenweddingshoes.com

There's a ton more. Believe me!

I'm telling you - if you need advice, help, recommendation, in Texas or Southern California, I have probably seen a picture of it or read a review on it. Wasn't it Jesus who said, ask and you shall receive? Mm hmm.

I would love to help! I seriously enjoy this wayyy too much!

Ask her out

Why hello,

Long time, no talk, I know.

I wanted to rant about one thing:

GUYS: YOU NEED TO ASK HER OUT.

It's simple. I'm talking specifically about LA here, people. Texas has no trouble asking each other out (and of course by that I mean, proposing and getting married).

You men out here need to freakin' stop foolin around and ask a girl out. Let me tell you that I know several eligible, lovely, smart, fun and extraordinary women who would love to be dating but don't want to be the one pursuing the man!

And what is wrong with all of these women, anyway? Why haven't you asked her out yet? Rather, what is wrong with you!? It's just plain ridiculous.

It's a date not a serious commitment. Geez louise.

So, get over yourself. And if you have been eyeing her from afar (for probably way too long) what is stopping you? Are you dilly-dallying for the right reasons or the wrong ones?

And if you're so into sports then why don't you just do it.?

xo,

Julie